County officials said Wednesday that members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 25 approved a contract similar to those other unions in the county have approved in recent weeks. The deal guarantees no furloughs or layoffs through 2016, and provides a 3 percent bonus in 2014, as well as a 3 percent cost-of-living allowance in 2015. The union represents 75 employees.

Baltimore County has reached agreements that extend contracts through June 30, 2016 for chief officers of the fire department as well as county supervisory, management and confidential employees, officials said.

Dona Carter spent seven and a half years as the voice that sends out firefighters, ambulances and police cars on emergency calls. One day, she thought, she'd be the one in the police car taking the call.